Former NFL Coach Tony Dungy Sends a Blunt Message About Taylor Swift Attending Games
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Each week, millions of Taylor Swift fans tune into Kansas City Chiefs games in hopes of catching a glimpse of the pop superstar cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce. Despite the increased viewership her attendance has brought to the NFL, some folks are displeased with the "distraction" from the sport—including former NFL player/coach, Tony Dungy.
When asked about the "Taylor Swift effect" on sports and the NFL during a recent interview with Fox News, Dungy didn't hold back his opinion.
"That's the thing that's disenchanting people with sports now," the NFL Hall of Famer said. "There's so much on the outside coming in—entertainment value and different things taking away from what really happens on the field."
Swifties definitely took note of Dungy's diss and reacted via social media. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, "At this point, Taylor Swift is a lot better for football, and the world, than Tony Dungy."
At this point, Taylor Swift is a lot better for football, and the world, than Tony Dungy
— Janice Hough (@leftcoastbabe) January 13, 2024
Someone else tweeted, "Tony Dungy went full buffoon, blaming Taylor Swift for discouraging viewers from watching the NFL. Second highest overall tv ratings since 2000. Second highest MNF ratings since 2000. 97 of the top 100 tv programs of 2023. Swift has been a massive positive for the NFL."
Tony Dungy went full buffoon, blaming Taylor Swift for discouraging viewers from watching the NFL.
Second highest overall tv ratings since 2000. Second highest MNF ratings since 2000. 97 of the top 100 tv programs of 2023.
Swift has been a massive positive for the NFL.. pic.twitter.com/oTQAfrZErX— Alan Covington (@Alan_Covington) January 14, 2024
Yet another X user pointed out, "If there is a reason for 'disenchantment' as Tony Dungy said it’s NFL putting Thursday night games and playoff games behind a paywall, awful broadcast crews who don’t research the teams they’re calling along with terrible officiating not Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce."
If there is a reason for “ disenchantment” as Tony Dungy said it’s NFL putting Thursday night games and playoff games behind a paywall, awful broadcast crews who don’t research the teams they’re calling along with terrible officiating not Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
— Champ (@Champ_Dawg9) January 13, 2024
It's worth noting that former NFL player Vince Ferragamo sang his praises for Swift in that same Fox News interview.
"My granddaughter is a big Swiftie, so I mean, it's really good. And with Travis Kelce, I mean, it's created a lot of excitement," Ferragamo said. "It's probably a lot more viewership into football. She's so popular that now everybody just wants to see her in the stands and her reaction to the game."
We couldn't have said it better!
Next: Taylor Swift ‘Swag Surfin’ at Chiefs Game Has Fans Declaring She ‘Found Her Tribe’
